Conductors and Insulators

Prepared by: Clairmont Taitt

Introduction

In material science, there is the various

classification of all matter in consideration of
various important features.

One such classification is according to their

Electrical Conductivities.

The ability of a material to conduct or convey

electric current is termed electrical
conductivity.
Electrical conductivity is the opposite of
resistivity (Resistivity is natural inherent resistance
of a material).

Therefore, it’s the inherent ability of a material

to allow electric current through it with relative
ease.

Electrical conductivity is symbolized by the

Greek letter σ (sigma).

Electrical conductivity is measured in unit S/m

(siemens per meter).
Material can be categorized based on their
electrical conductivities as either:
Conductors, Semiconductors or Insulators.

So materials can be thought of as being between

two extremities; very good conductors and
very good insulators, with semiconductors
falling in the middle.

Some conductors are better than other

conductors. The same there is amongst
insulators and semiconductors
 Electrical conductivity scale
Ranges from two extremes conductors to insulators with
semiconductors in the middle.
Conductors
What is a conductor?
A materials that allow the flow of electrical
current through with great ease.

Conductors have high values of electrical

conductivity.

Also, mean they have the lowest resistivity

values of all materials.
All metals are very good conductors of
electric current.

Some metals are better conductors than

others.

Metals are very good conductors of

electric current because they have free
electrons available within their structure.

There are no perfect conductors, instead,

the level of conductivity varies over a wide
range depending on the atomic and
molecular structure of materials.
 The Electrical conductivity of the ten (10) best conductors

Type of Material Electrical conductivity σ(s/m)

The four best Silver 6.30×107
conductors of electric
current are: Silver, Copper 5.96×107
Copper, Gold and
Aluminum Gold 4.10×107
Aluminum 3.5×107
Calcium 2.98×107
Tungsten 1.79×107
Zinc 1.69×107
Nickle 1.43×107
Lithium 1.08×107
Iron 1.00×107
Knowing the best conductor of electricity is silver, followed by copper, gold,
aluminum in that order. However, in the industry and everyday life, you will
find many conductors are made of copper and aluminum.

Why do you think that is so?

Discuss!
Applications of Conductors?

Without conductors we would not of been

able to transmit and distribute electrical
power, route, transmit and receive electrical
signals and electromagnetic waves

Metals like iron, aluminum and copper

etc. that can conduct electricity are made
into connecting leads, contacts, wires
and cable for carrying electric current.
Insulators

What is an insulator?
A materials that do not allow the flow of
electrical current through it.

Insulators have lowest (almost non) values

of electrical conductivity.

Also, mean they have the highest (infinite)

resistivity values of all materials.
Bound electrons: electrons tightly insulators are not conductors of electric
held within their atoms current because they do not have free
electrons available within their structure.
These electrons are tightly held within their
atom and require a large amount of energy
to break them apart and free them.

Some insulators are indeed better

insulators than others.

Some of the most common types of

Insulators are: Rubber, Plastics, Glass,
Ceramic, Wood, Cloth, Paper, Air .
 The Electrical conductivity of some insulators

Insulators have Type of Material Electrical conductivity σ(s/m)

very small values
of electrical
Wood (damp) 10−4 to 10-3
conductivities Glass 10−11 to 10−15
Hard Rubber 10−14
Wood (oven dry) 10−16 to 10-14
Air 3×10−15 to 8×10−15
Paraffin Wax 10−18
Fused Quartz 1.3×10−18
PET 10−21
Teflon 10−25 to 10−23
Applications of Insulators?

By virtue of their distinct electrical

insulating properties.

Insulators are used to prevent us and

other living creatures from electric shock
by forming a insulating barrier between
us and the dangerous electric currents
or voltages.
Insulators also prevent conductive parts
or potential conductive parts from having
a live potential. Which promotes and
enhances safety and prevent damages.

For this reason wires/conductors are

covered with suitable insulation and
sheathing.

The insulators are used for protection

against high voltages & prevention of
electrical short between cables in circuits
 Using the Band gap theory to explain the electrical
conductivities of conductors, semiconductors and insulators.

What is the Band Gap Theory?

Band theory gives us a useful way to visualize the difference

between conductor, semiconductor, and an insulator.

It shows minimum energies needed for electrons in a

material to start conduction.
 There is no or low energy The band gap of semiconductor is The band gap in insulator is huge
gap between the conduction & greater than the conductor but (+5 eV), which need an enormous
valance band of a conductor. It smaller than an insulator i.e. 1 eV. amount of energy like lightning to
does not need extra energy for Their electrons need a little energy push electrons into the conduction
the conduction state. for conduction state band.
 SAFETY
Conductors & Insulators

Do not use cords with damage

or deteriorated insulation

Do not use tools with damage

or deteriorated insulation.
Always use tool that are properly
insulated and has a correct
insulation rating for the task.

Always wear personal protective

equipment (PPE) to insulate you
for an electric shock.
Avoid connection to corroded metal
contacts.
corroded metal contacts should be
properly cleaned to expose bare
conductor before making any connection.
 TOTAL

15mks

Why conductors have very high values of electrical

1 conductivity and insulators have very low values? 4mks

Why in larger outdoors applications aluminum is the

2 preferred conductor over copper, which has a higher
conductivity? 5mks

Explain the band gap theory in reference to

3 conductors, semiconductors and insulators? 6mks